Six American citizens were released from criminal detention by Venezuela on Friday â and “couldn’t stop thanking” President Trump for securing their liberation, according to the senior administration official who helped bring them home.
The government of President Nicolás Maduro released the six unidentified American detainees after a meeting with Richard Grenell, Trump’s envoy for special missions.
His short visit with the South American nation’s controversial three-term president focused on Trump’s intent to deport violent Venezuelan migrants, including members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang back to their home nation â which does not accept them â and free its American captives.
Grenell, the former acting director of national intelligence during Trump’s first term, celebrated his successful mission on social media.
âWe are wheels up and headed home with these 6 American citizens,â he wrote on X with a photo of the six smiling men â one of whom gave a thumbs up while another flashed a peace sign â on an airplane. Four of the men wore identical light-blue uniforms.
âThey just spoke to @realDonaldTrump and they couldnât stop thanking him,â Grenell added.
Trump also took to social media to cheer their release.
âJust been informed that we are bringing six hostages home from Venezuela. Thank you to Ric Grenell and my entire staff. Great job,â the president posted.
While the half-dozen fortunate former prisoners have not yet been identified, there are up to 10 Americans detained by Venezuela, including a Navy SEAL and three Americans arrested by the Maduro government over an alleged anti-government plot last fall.
The US government still does not officially recognize Maduroâs claim to victory.
The hostage release comes days after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the Trump administration revoked temporary protected status for more than 600,000 Venezuelan migrants across the US.
The Post has reached out to the White House for comment.
With Post wires
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